FDACS` Role Towards Industry Compliance - Florida

Florida Department of
Agriculture
and Consumer Services
Adam Putnam
COMMISSIONER
GI-BMP/LCFAC
Program Overview
The limited certificate for an urban landscape commercial
fertilizer applicator is valid for a four year period from the
date of issuance.
Prior to renewal, a limited commercial fertilizer applicator
will need to complete 4 classroom hours of acceptable
continuing education, of which, at least 2hours address
fertilizer best-management practices.
There are several programs already approved for this
purpose and the Department expects more programs to be
approved for this training as the deadline draws nearer.
Memo 897 and 909
ALL individuals/employees making a commercial
fertilizer application to urban landscapes are
NOW required to possess the Limited
Certification for Urban Landscape Commercial
Fertilizer Applicators.
There is NO exception for persons who possess
Chapter 482 employee identification cards. Every
person, making ANY TYPE OF fertilizer application for
hire, must possess this limited certificate and carry it
on their person.
Persons who are employed by, or are employees of golf
courses, who are making fertilizer applications are NOT
required to obtain the Limited Certification for Urban
Landscape Commercial Fertilizer Applicators. Golf courses
have their own fertilizer BMPs to adhere to.
Also, commercial fertilizer applications made to groves,
nurseries, row crops, sod production and other
agricultural areas do NOT need to obtain the Limited
Fertilizer Certificate.
GIBMP Training (required to obtain the
certificate) can now be obtained:
In person - at most county extension
offices;
On-Line – which covers the same topics as
the classroom training, but allowing you
to
complete the training on your computer,
at your own pace; or
Using DVD Training - DVD training can be used
by individual students, or as a tool for
facilitated group training.
This link (https://gibmp.ifas.ufl.edu/) provides
information from the University of Florida
IFAS Extension on how to register for training
programs, train on-line or ordering the DVD to
obtain the necessary training.
Using DVD Training - DVD training can be used
by individual students, or as a tool for
facilitated group training.
This link (https://gibmp.ifas.ufl.edu/) provides
information from the University of Florida
IFAS Extension on how to register for training
programs, train on-line or ordering the DVD to
obtain the necessary training.
To obtain the limited certificate, EACH applicant can
apply online at this URL:
https://aesecomm.freshfromflorida.com/
and following the on-screen instructions. This
method will verify your training certificate
electronically; accept credit card payment; and issue
the certificate with minimal delay.
Applicants may also submit to the department a completed form,
“Application for Limited Certification for Urban Landscape
Commercial Fertilizer, DACS 13677 (Rev. 08/09)”,with the application
fee of $25.00, and submit a copy of their certificate showing that
they completed the Green Industries Best Management Practices
(GIBMP) training.
This link:
http://forms.freshfromflorida.com/13677.pdf will download a copy
of the form for you.
The limited certificate for an urban landscape commercial fertilizer
applicator is valid for a four year period from the date of issuance.
Prior to renewal, a limited commercial fertilizer applicator will
need to complete 4 classroom hours of acceptable continuing
education, of which, at least 2 hours address fertilizer bestmanagement practices.
There are several programs already approved for this purpose and
the Department expects more programs to be approved for this
training.
NOTE:
For certified operators – For the year when the LF renewal occurs,
the Department WILL accept attendance at a 2 hour CEU core
category program for both their certificate renewal and LF
renewal. The operator WILL have to attach/provide a copy of the
core training to both renewal
applications.
For technicians – As technician training is NOT approved by the
Department, it cannot count toward the 2 hour CEU core
requirement. Therefore, technicians WILL have to take an
approved 2 hour CEU core category course and an approved 2
hour CEU LF training course prior to their renewal.
Measuring the Objectives
Indicators
• Industry Benchmarks
• Attendance
• Knowledge Gain
• Adoption of BMPs and Conveyance to Clients
• DACS Inspector Observations (future)
Other Efforts
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Press Releases (4 Approved Articles)
PSA (DACS)
Logo Creation (Bumper Sticker, Patch)
Contact Card (QR Code)
New CEU Category Competency Criteria
Bridged FFL Database with FDACS
Compiling Local Ordinances
Revised Test Bank
DVD training (English)
How does Enforcement of the
LCFAC work?
A Field Advisory Notice will be
issued for the following:
Not having your Limited Fertilizer
Certificate.
Questions?????